The question we should all be asking ourselves during this holiday season, is not, “Should I really have this third piece of fruit cake topped off with a couple of snickerdoodles?” Since the holidays are meant to be joyful and filled with love and sure, to experience amazing foods, the question we should be asking ourselves is, “What happens to my teeth if I happen to over-indulge this holiday season.”

We all know that moderation is the key to a healthier lifestyle. But, you can’t just go to one holiday party either; that wouldn’t be fair. To help guide you through some of the common holiday maladies that affect our teeth, I have included some helpful hints from the American Dental Association as well as a few other holiday teeth tips.

When enjoying the 3 F’s of the holidays (Family, Friends, & Food), remember these tips:

Eating sweet foods with meals helps neutralize acid production by increasing the amount of saliva; it helps “rinse” the food particles from the mouth;